Preston travel to take on Hull City this evening, and Alex Neil faces one big injury concern.
North End lost 1-0 at Derby County on Saturday, with Martyn Waghorn bagging the winner. It was the worst possible mix of a game straight after an international break, with Preston tend to lose, and a trip to Derby, where Preston tend to lose.
Tonight, Preston have a chance to hit back and get back to top form. Neil takes his side to the KCOM Stadium, which may be a tricky game given that the Tigers have won three of their last five games.
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Neil will be hoping for three points, but he may yet have to go into the game without Ben Davies. The North End centre back was substituted with an injury at Derby, with Neil admitting that he could miss out tonight.
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Last time Davies missed a game, Neil took something of a gamble by bringing in Andrew Hughes. The left back was thrown in as a centre half, with Neil hoping he would bring the balance that Davies provides as a left-footed centre back.
However, the Welshman struggled in a dismal first half showing from North End, and Preston generally look uneasy at the back. Hughes improved in the second half, and Neil’s decision was more than understandable, but it came with mixed results.
Tonight, Neil won’t be able to make the same decision. Hughes is unavailable, having suffered a broken foot against Blackburn. That means that, unless Neil hands a shock appearance to Paul Huntington, it could be Jordan Storey’s chance to shine.
The young defender showed real promise last season, forming a decent partnership with Davies. In truth, he’s been unlucky to lose his place to Patrick Bauer, but he and Davies have just been so good.
Storey still has great quality, and even though he’s right-footed, he will no doubt fill in admirably for Davies if he misses out tonight.